Printing mechanism for automatic recording-scales.



I E. MGGARVBY. PRINTING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC RECORDING SCALES. APPLICATION F ILED 601 .3, 1911. 1,101,207; Patented June 23,1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

a m m V A wsmgsses: INVENTOR.

'WITNESS ES. 7

E. MGGARVEY. PRINTING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC REOORDING SGALES.

' APPLICATION FILED OCT. 3, 1911 1, 101,207. 7 Patented June 23, 1914.

isHEETS-SHBBT 2.

INVENTOR.

E. MQGARVBY. PRINTING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC RECORDING SCALES.

, APPLICATION FILED OCT. 3. 1911. 1,101,207.

M m m mmi W Jm .a. 1 n m m P :5. MGGARVB IP'RINTING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC RECORDING SCALES. ABLIOATION FILED 001', a, 1911. v 1,101 207 Patented June 23, 1914.

4 $HEBTS-SHEET 4.

WlTNESSES.

UNITED STATE EDWARD MoGARVEY, F BELLEFGNTE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNQR TO INTER- NATIONAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF BELLEFONTE, PENNSYLVANIA, IL 001% PORATION OF ARIZONA.

PRINTING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC 'REGQRDING SCAILFS.

menses.

To all whom z'tmag; concern? Be it known that LEoWAnn llleGAnvnY, a.

citizen of the United States, residing at Belletonte, in the' county of Center and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Print ing Mechanism for Automatic Recording- Sceles, of which the following. is a specifica.-

tion.

matie weighing scales in which printing mechanism is utihz'ed to record the result oi each weighing operation, aseccomplished-by fers partici'ilerly to'the actuating mechanism for these parts in its operative relation and in combinationwith the scale structure.

In the drawings illustrating the invention: Figure 1 is a iew of the entire apparatus as applied to the poise beam of a scale and its parts, in side elevation. Fig. 2 is en enlarged sectional. detailjview indicated by the line H. II. of Fig.1. Fig. 3 is a plan View of the machine, further enlarged. Fig. l is a vertical sectional detail view showing the arresting mechanism for the printing wheels, indicated by the sectional line IV IV of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view showing the printing mechanism, paper carriers, motor, etc, in side elevation, Fig. 6 is an end view. of the construction of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a lan viewof Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional detail View on the line V111 VIII of Fig. Fig. 9 is a detail view in elevation, illustrating the actuating cam for the printing. platen. Fig. 10 is a sectional detail view-0f theprinting mechanism, similHK' ;l}?fElg.' 5, from the'other side.

is e-;crcsssectiim through the peper winding Specification of Letters Patent.

My invention'refers to the class of auto-- a. paper strip and porting wheels 8 weight of the of which is geared Fig. 11'

one

reel on the line XI XI of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a diagram of the wiring circuit, contact mochanisin, and branch circuit for actuetmechanism.

y. whighing apps plicajtion filed herewith... These show the usual balancing beamQ of a scale mounted by knife edge bearings 3 in port, as bearings 4, extending upwardly from the base of the sceleframe; The beam 2- is in the form of a rectangular freme having two; oppositely arranged side bars joined at their ends by cross bars 5 and 6 of any suitable construction, the. endinostbar 5 provid-v ing a bearing for the outer end' of the poise feed screw and for mounting of the movable contact members, also prwidingahearing' for the motor shaft.

7 is the adjustable poise mounted by sup at each side on supporting trucks 9 arranged longitudinally o'f-the beam 2 at each side of its central open clearance space, and having interfit-tiug engagement with the screw 11 by suitable nut devices 10. Upon rotation of the shaft in either direction, poise 7 is located at its proper position on the beam to balance it in the same manner generally as is the ordinary poise of the usual weighing scale or as is the; poise of recording scales of this type.

The machine is designed to operate automatically so that the poise will be located at the, proper position, depending upon the goods or article being weighed so as to bring the poise beam to a condition of rest in the shortest possible time.

The screw 10 is actuated by a. motor M, the shaft 13 of which has a bearing in the outer end of beam at 1.4 and is coupled at its inner end with an electro-inagnet 15.

The printing mechanism, generally designated by the letter P, comprises 9. series of upper indicating or reading wheels and a se ries of lower printing Wheels, the unit wheel with the inner end of the screw shaftll, the severalwheels'eoinpiiising each series: being geared together, each illustrated the in-I any, suitable. supterminalthe inner end 6.

ltltl series being connected by intervening idler gears as more particularly hereinafter de scribed. The extreme inner end of the screw shaft ll is provided with a clutch disk 16, adapted to be coupled with the magnet 15. for rotation of the screw shaft 11 and its actuating parts.

The operation of the motor M is controlled through contact n lechanism located at the outer end of the beam and illustrated in diagram in Figs. 11, 12 and 13, and more particularly set forth in the companion application above referred to.

For the purpose of the present application, it is sutlicicnt to state that circuit to the motor M is established from the main line conductors A, B, by means of vibrating contacts 21, 25, mounted preferably on a pivoted sensitively supporting bar 26 at the outer end of the beam 2, adapted to close the circuit in the raised position of the beam, as in Fig. 12, through contact 39, branch contact 30", wire 30 to main conductor B, and from contact. 25 through conductor 42 to the armature m of the motor, thence by conductor 1-1, contacts 24 and 40, branch conductor 30", wire 3O to the field F of the motor M, thence by conductor 44 to the other main line conductor A, for one direction of' the rotation of the motor Reverscly, in the lowered position of the beam, contact 2a closes circuit from main line conductor B through connection 30 wire 41 to the motor armature m, thence by wire 42, contacts 25 and 34, wire 30 to the fields F of the motor conductor 43 to clutch 15 and wire 44- to the other main line conductor A.

The series of printing wheels for making the impression upon the paper strip, are located in axial alinement with the screw shaft 11, to which the unit wheel 17 is fixedly secured. The additional, printing wheels, 18 are loosely mounted on the extension of screw 11 and automatically actuated by the rotation of the first printing wheel 17 through automatically operative transmitting gearing 1S) co-acting with a series of inter-engaging teeth 20 011 the wheels 18, of well known construction, and similar to the printing wheels 4 to 10 inclusive of my prior Patent No. 701757.

A. series of indicating or reading wheels 21, having characters corresponding to those of the corresponding printing wheels 17-18, is located upwardly above and in front of the printing wheels 17-l8 within a surrounding casing 22 mounted on the frame and having an aperture through which the particular combination of figures of each particular printing operation is observed.

Secured to the screw shaft 11, or to the pinion 20 of the unit wheel 17, is a star shaped arresting wheel 23. The purpose of said wheel is to ositively fix the position of the unit wheel 1 by the action of an entering point forming a portion of the operative mechanism. A supplemental additional arresting device is provided for the-remaining wheels, consisting of a pivotally mounted plate 23 hinged at 23 on the side member of the beam, and provided with a plurality of fingers 23. Said plate is raised in unison with the point 23 by means of a. spring secured to the upper end of one of the sliding sleeves 23 mounted on the guide studs or pins 23 These pins are secured in and extend upwardly from a. projecting supporting flange 2" of the beam. (See Fig. 8.) The several printing wheels, as thus arranged and geared with the screw shaft, are so arranged that they will form a combination of figures corresponding to the weight and the corresponding position of the poise at all times.

The mechanism for recording the particular weight indicated by the wheels at any position, consists of a strip of paper 27 which is wound from one paper reel'27 to another similar reel 27" intermittently for each printing operation, b 1 means of a ratchet wheel 27, actuated y a spring-retracted pawl 27, a similar locking pawl 27 acting to arrest the reel against reversal. Said paper wheels together with the actuating mechanism therefor, the platen mechanism and the several co-acting parts, are mounted upon a. base 28, which is slid-ably mounted on a runner plate 28 having side bearing strips 28 secured upon the frame of the machine, as indicated in Fig. 8, and is fixedly located in its inner operative position by means of a removable securing pin 28. The base 28 is provided at one side with a rigid side portion or upright 28 in which are secured the studs 27*" and 27" on which the paper reels are rotatably mounted Each reel is retained in position by an outer washer and cotter pin, as shown, or by other suitable device and each is also normally pressed outwardly by a spring 27.Said

springs act to interpose suflicient friction during the partial rotation of the paper reels to prevent over-running of the reel at each intermittent pawl actuation.

On the base 28, extending upwardly from said plate 28 are the standards 28 forming the vertical sliding bearings for the printing platen 28. Said platen is vertically reciprocable by means of a composite cam construction comprising outer cams or eccentrics 28 28. with an inner or intermediate cam 28. Printing platen 28 rests by legs 28 on the outer cams 28 and is provided at its upper portion with it supplemental pressure plate or platen 28 Said plate 28 is mounted for independent movement, in addition to the movement of the main platen, by means of a stem 28 extending centrally down through main platen 28 and is pro-- vided with as bcaringshoe 28 resting on the reversible as indicated or platen 28 at h incisor intermediate cam 28, and provided with a itrap 28 which surrounds said cam (See ig. 9.) v The platen 28 is provided with guide stems 28 extending down through receiving cavities in the standards 28. As thus constructed the platen 28 is actuated by cams 28 to raise and lower the paper strip 27 and a carbon ribbon 29, at each operation, toward and trom the printing wheels. The actual impression of the carbon ribbon 29 'and paper strip 27 against the several printing wheels is accomplished by cam 28 at its highest point, acting to raise the supplemental platen 28 slightly above its normal bearing on the top of the platen 28, such action being effected by the high point of cam 28 The withdrawal of the composite platen is effected through strap 28 Carbon ribbon 29 is mounted on receiving" and delivering reels 29 29", each of which is provided with a ratchet wheel 29", one of said ra tchet wheels beingnctuated by the reversible pawl 29 The operation of said pawl is to intermittently feed the carbon ribbon for each printing operation and the pawl is in dotted lines in Fig. 10, whereby a reverse the ribbon feed as will bereadily u derstood,

The barb su ortin studs 29 and 29" extendin bi 7 b n ribbon reels are mounted oninwardly fron'ifsu'pporting plate 28 like studs,*27*"l and 2'2 and each is provided with a friction creating spring 9,9 for the liniitcd as to its upward movement under act-ion of spring 29 and extends upwardl sufliciently far to be pawl 29, to engage one tooth of ratchet wheel 29. lly this means it will be seen that the carbon ribbon is progressed slightly at each operation by limited action of spring 29 to insure the impression on the paper strip. Similarly mounted upon or around the other standard 28 is asliding block 23 resting upon a cushinning spring 23 which in turn rests upon a bracket 23 which extends outwardly from one leg of the reciprocatingjplatcn 28. Eittending upwardly from bloc-l: 233 or forn'ied integrally with it, is a lifting dog 23 adapted to abut underneath the centering point 23", and to raise it upon guiding stems 23 at the same time sheeting uplift of the plate 28*.and'its arresting-lingers. The purpose ofienshioning sp ztlng ali is to same purpose. Pawl 29 is pivoted at 29 to around or upon one- Said standard extending into a limit;

; engaged by the head,

t last part of the downward movement, on liciently far to lower thepivotal mounting 29' of provide elasticity to insure centering of the point 23 in the alinmg star wheel 23, without binding.- By these several means, it will be seen that the printing wheels having been located in position with any slight variation in alinement remaining for correction by the star wheel adjustment, upon actuation of the reciprocating platen 28" upon feed of the paper strip 2?, carbon ribbon 29, actuation of the star wheel 23, raising of the main platen 28 to bring the paper strip and carbon ribbon in operative relation to the printing wheels, and the final supplemental upward pressure of the supplemental platen 28*, will effect the printing of thenumber indicating the weight on the paper strip. As arranged, it is designed that these operations shall be performed after the poise beam has come to rest, by the independent operation of an electric motor and controlled through a separate switch and circuit connections by the attendant. ,F or

such purpose an electric motor M is mounted upon the plate 28 and its shaft m is provided with a worm m meshing into a worm wheel m on t e end of shaft we? carrying the cams 282S9 for actuation thereof. Said worm wheelm is provided witha pin m which, at each rotation of the Worm wheel, presses against the pivotally mounted leg 27 of spring retractedpawl 27, for actuation of. the paper strip winding reel 27*.

It is designed that current shall be established to the motor from any suitable source of current by main conductors A, B, through the operation of a manually C011: trolled switch s. make and break contact mechanism consisting of a rotating disk on having. an interrupted annular conductor and intervening insulation is mounted on the other end of shaft m", whereby to provi do for automatic break of the circuit from the motor M In the Ina-anally inoperative and stationary position of the printing mechai'iisin, circuit is broken through the connections to the motor. as illustrated in the diagram of l2. conductor .22 to spring contact 7727 resting on the insulating segment m of? wheel m there is no current passing to the motor, but by closing the spring retracted switch 8, circuit is closed through branch conductor 3 to the motor, which is connected at the other side by conductor a with the main line con ductor Upon current thus being established, the motor will operate to perform one rotation of shaft m accomplishing the printing operation. ll-etraction of the spring switch 5, which is but momentarily closed, breaks the circuit to the motor, which has been set up through the current from the conductor a, spring contact m and annular condnctor m of wheel at and branch conductors at the termination of one coinpleteeievc be-insulating Thus by a branch The motor then comes to rest, its momentum being counteracted by the braking effect of a magnetically con olled ar: ature brake m actuated by a pressure spring and retracting magnet, of well known construction, interposed in the circuit.

The printing operation is effected through the means just described at the termination of each weighing operation, and. the results are noted upon the paper strip in continuous series of figures consecutively throughout its length, thus providing a positive record of any number of weighing operat-ions.

By my construction I avoid the presence or necessity of any mechanical connection between the poise beam and its associated parts and the printing mechanism, so that each operation is independent of the other. This is a highly desirable feature in scales of this type.

The construction and operation of the apparatus will be readily understood from the foregoing description.

The mounting of the reciprocating platen and its several connected parts on the slidingly arranged base 28, to which the conducting wires may be flexibly connected, renders it easily possible to withdraw the printing mechanism for removal. or renewal of the paper strip or carbon ribbon, or of any other parts.

The apparatus may be changed or 'aried in construction or design in various features of detail by the skilled mechanic but all such changes are to be considered as within the scope of the following claims.

\Vhat I claim is:

1. In. a recording scale, the combination with a poise beam, a poise thereon. a feed screw mounted on the beam and threaded into the poise. a motor on the beam operatively connected. with the feed screw, and printing wheels operatively connected with the screw in axial alinement therewith; of independently operative printing mechanism for making a record from the. printing wheels embodying a primary and a secondary platen actuating means therefor, and an independent motor for said means.

2. In a recording scale, the combination with a. poise beam, a poise thereon. a feed screw mounted on the beam and threaded into the poise, a motor on the beam operatively connected. with the feed screw, and printing wheels operatively connected with the screw in axial alinement therewith, of mechanism for locating a record and carbon strip across the printing wheels, and a combined reciprocable primaryand secondary platen adapted to press said strips against said wheels.

3. In a recording scale, the combination with a poise beam, a poise thereon, a. feed screw tor the poise mounted on the beam, 21

motor on the beam operatively connected with the feed screw, and printin wheels operatively connected with the screw, 'of mechanism for locating a record and carbon strip across the printing wheels, and a re ciprocable platen embodying a supplemental pressure platen adapted to adjust the strips to operative position in relation to the printing wheels.

1-. In arecording scale, the combination with a poise beam, a poise thereon, a feed screw for the poise mounted on the beam, and printing wheels operatirely connected with the screw, of mechanism for locating a record and carbon strip across the printing wheels, a reciprocable platen adapted to press said strips against the printing wheels,- cam actuating mechanism therefor, and a motor for operating said cam mechanism.

In a recording scale, the combination of a poise beam, :1 poise, a feed screw engaging the poise, a printing platen, and. pinning wheels operatively connected with the screw; of a ribbon reel having a. printribbon in operative relation to the printfng wheels, a ratchet wheel, a sliding block in o 'ieralire relation to the printing platen, a pawl pivoted on said block and engaging said ratchet wheel. a spring normally pressing saidbloclc upwardly, and means for actuating the sliding block substantially as set forth.

3. In a recording scale, the combination of a poise beam, a poise, a feed screw engag incthe poise, a rinting platen, and printing wheels operatively connected with the screw; of a pair of ribbon reels each having a ratchet wheel and adapted to present a printing ribbon in operative relation to the printing wheels, a sliding block in operative relation to the printing platen and adapted to be depressed thereby, a reversible pawl pivoted on said block and adapted to engage either ratchet wheel, a spring normally pressing said block upwardly, and means tor actuating the sliding block, substantially as set forth.

T. The combination with a poise beam of a scale having a poise and a screw shaft engaging the poise, printing wheels including a unit wheel connected with the screw shaft, and a reciprocable platen; of an arresting star wheel for the unit printing wheel, a reciproable interlocking finger therefor, and a lifting); d og for said finger in operative engagcment with the reciprocable platen.

R. The combination with the screw shaft ot a scale beam and printing wheels con nected with the screw shaft provided with gearing. of a series of reciprocable interlocking fingers adapted to engage said gearing and means for actuating said fingers.

9. The combination with the screw shaft, of a scale beam and printing wheels con nected with the screw shaft, of a star wheel,

of engaging the poise, printing wheels 1nclud-.

and actuating gearing associated with the printing wheels, cable interlocking fingers adapted to make engagement therewit 10. The combination with a poise beam scale having a poise and a screw shaft mg a unit wheel connected with the screw shaft, and a reciprocable platen; of an ar- 10.

resting star wheel for the unit printing .wheel, a reciproca'ble interlocking finger therefor, a reciprocable printing platen hav- ..1ng a co-actinglifting device for said finger, and a cushioning spring for said finger.

- 1]. The combination with the screw shaft of a scalebeam and printing wheels connected 'with thescrew shaft, of an arresting star wheel for the unit printing wheel, a re ciprocable interlocking finger therefor, and a reciprocable printing platen having a co= acting lifting device for said finger, and a cushioning spring for said lifting device.

12. The combination with the screw shaft of a scale beam and printing wheels connected with the screw shaft, of a star wheel, guiding pins, a reciproeable finger having sleeves mounted thereon, and a reciprocable printing platen having a co-acting lifting device for, said finger.

13. The combination with the screw shaft of a scale beam and printing wheels connected-with the screw shaft, of a star wheel and actuating gearing associated with the printing wheels, guide pins, a reciproca'ble finger for the star wheel -having sleeves mounted on said pins, a series of interlocking fingers for engaging the printing wheel gearing, and means connected to one of said sleeves for actuating said fingers.

mounted on said 14 The combination with --the screw shaft of a scale beam and printing wheels connected with the screw shaft, of a star wheel and actuating/gearing associated with'the printing wheels, guide pins, i reciprocable finger for the star wheel having sleeves pins, a series of interlocking fingers for engaging the printing wheel gearing, and a spring connecting said fin- ,gers wlth one of said sleeves.

15. In a scale, the combination with the and a plurality of reciprofeed 16. In a scale, the combination with the poise beam, a poise thereon, a feed screw for the poise mounted on the beam, a motor on the beam operatively connected with the feed screw. circuit establishing contact mechanism, and main conductors; of print ing mechanism comprising a reciprocable platen, a carbon ribbon and a paper strip,

winding mechanism therefor, means for acwindmg mecha t'uating the platen and said nism, a motor geared with said actuating means, circuit connections from said main conductors for said motor, and an interposed switch for said motor circuit.

1'7. Ina scale, the combination with the poise beam, a poise thereon, a feed screw for the poise mounted on the beam, a motor on the beam operatively connected with the feed screw, circuit establish ng contact mechanism, and mam'conductors; of printing mechanism compris ng a reciprocable platen, a carbon ribbonand a paper strip, winding mechanism therefor, means for actuating the platen and said winding mechanism, a motor geared with said actuating means, circuit connections from said main conductors for said motor, an interposed switch for said motor circuit, and make and break mechanism interposed in said branch circuit. i 1

In testimony whereof I. hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two. witnesses.

EDWARD MCGARVEY.

Witnesses:

C. M. CLARKE,. 'FREDK. STAUB. 

